I have to admit that I don’t get soccer.  I grew up on the East Coast of the U.S. and, when I was in school, soccer is “what all the other countries played.”  Now that I live on the West Coast, I am immersed in the melting pot of World Cup Fever.  In my gym, whenever I pass a TV, a game is being played and the score is usually 0-0 or 1-1.  When I come back a half hour later, there’s been no change.

Having just gone through the NBA post-season (with my Lakers winning the finals, thank you), I’m used to watching a much higher-scoring, higher-paced game.  I compare the few minutes of soccer I have watched with the last 10 minutes of game 7 against the Boston Celtics and I wonder how anyone can get excited about a soccer match, or game, or whatever you call it.

While watching, however, I kept wondering if any of these players have long-term disability insurance (no surprise there, since that’s what I do for a living).  Thankfully, there is some very specific disability insurance available for athletes.

The coverage is quite different than policies sold to “normal” occupations.  One of the benefits available to athletes that you wouldn’t find for an accountant, for instance, is a “Loss of Endorsements” benefit.  Another available benefit would cover agents and managers during the time of disability, should the athlete need to continue utilizing their services.

So, while I can’t get too excited about watching these low-scoring matches, I can get excited about working with these excellent athletes to ensure that their incomes are protected should they become  injured while not scoring.

My apologies to all you avid soccer fans who are enjoying the World Cup.  I’m sure there’s something you see that I don’t.  Maybe by next World Cup I’ll be converted, but only if they ban those darn Vuvuzelas from the stadium.  Don’t get me started on those!!